Cravat holder



J. L. COBB CRAVAT HOLDER Nov. 10, 1936.

Filed Jan. 9, 1935 nu Z w 7 M Patented Nov. '1 0, 1936 PATENT OFFICE I CRAVAT HOLDER Justin L. Cobb, Mansfield, Mass., assignorto J. L. Cobb 00., Inc., Mansfield, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 9, 1935, Serial No. 1,034 11 Claims.- (CI. 24-49) This invention relates to an article of jewelry and more particularly to an improved device for holding a necktie or cravat properly positioned on the garment with which it is worn.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of tie-holder having arms for embracing the tie with the terminals of the arms spaced apart to form an opening therebetween through which the tie or cravat may be conveniehtly inserted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated constructed from a single piece of strip material shaped to form a backing member with a clip on its rearward side and embracing arms at its ends having an opening between their terminals for the insertion of the cravat therethrough.

Another objector the present invention is to provide a device of the type specified having a backing member and inwardly extending arms terminating in spaced relationship to form an opening adjacent one end of the device to facilitate the insertion of the cravat therethrough without creasing its material. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of construction in a device of the type indicated which facilitates the insertion of the cravat and is adjustable in conformity to the width of the cravat ends.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is of simple and compact structure, adapted for economical manufacture and having an artistic and ornamental appearance as well as utility for holding the tie or cravat.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description of the tour forms of the invention illustrated in the drawing. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is for purposes of illustration only and not a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the device showing the opening between the wearer. In accordance with the present invention spaced terminals of the arms as located adjacent one end of the device;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 4; V

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another modified 5 form of construction 01' the device showing a different type of clip for fastening it to the gar: merit; v v v Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the modified construction of device illustrated in Fig. 6; 10

Fig. 8 is a'perspective view. of still another modifled form of construction of. the device in which the arms are laterallyadjustable with respect to the backing member to adapt the holder for cravats oi! different widths; 15

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the modified for of device shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on line i0l 0 of Fig. 9 showing the manner in which the laterally adjustable arms are mounted on the backing member. r

The present invention relates generally to a cravat-holder which may be constructed of wire or other similar strip material. The material may be bent, moulded, stamped or otherwise fabri- 25 cated to form a backing member with inwardly directed arms on the forward side thereof adapted to loosely embrace a cravat therebetween and with attaching means on its rearward side for holding engagement with a garment. The device is adapted to hold a cravat' properly positioned on the garment with which it is worn while allowing longitudinal movement of the cravat resulting from the difierent postures assumed by the 5 the tie-embracing arms may take a variety of shapes and forms, but in all the forms the ends of the arms terminate in a spaced relationship to provide an opening therebetween for insertion of the cravat.

In one embodiment the device is constructed from a singlepiece of wire bent to form a backing member with integral attaching clip and embracing arms with spaced terminal portions. In another form the clip is provided as a separate 5 element attached to the backing member. In this form or in any of the other forms the two tie-embracing arms may be of different lengths with the opening between their spaced terminals 1 located adjacent one end of the backing member so that the cravat may be inserted through the opening by a substantially continuous lateral oredgewise movement. In still another form the backing member and arms are made from a single piece of material in the form of a loop l5 and ii at its ends.

with a separate fastening clip fixed thereto. In still another form the arms are mounted for lateral movement with respect to the backing member to provide for adjusting the width of thedevice to conform to the width of the cravat,

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3'of thedrawing. the cravat-holder is made from a single length of wire or other resilient strip material havinga central intermediate portion which forms a backingmember l i for engagement with the rear surface of the cravat and the front of the shirt. Between the ends of the backing member II the wire is bent to provide a loop I 2 which is folded against the rearward face of the backing member to form a spring-clip adapted to slip over the edge of a garment to fasten the cravat-holder in position. In the illustrated embodiment the loop I2 is' so formed as to be positioned centrally of the backing member II when folded into engagement therewith and in this manner the clasp will be held centrally positioned with respect to the front of the garment on which it is mounted.

The outer end or wing portions of the wire are folded forwardly as at I3 and I4 and then inwardly in substantially parallel, spaced relationship with the backing member H to form the tieembracing arms I! and I. The terminal portions of the arms I! and I. may be formed with loops I l and II which are spaced apart to provide an opening I! therebetween for insertion of the cravat. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 2 and 3 that the loop l2, backing member H and arms i5 and I6 all lie in a common plane with the terminal loops l1 and I3 extending at right-angles thereto. In other cases, the terminal portions of the arms may be formed to different ornamental contours.

To mount the device in its operative position, as shown in Fig. 1, the spring-clip formed by the loop I2 is slipped over the edge of the hem' or plait 2| of the shirt front and slid to a central position thereon. The device will then be held in position by the inherent resiliency of the loop l2 which grips the hem onplait 20 of the shirt against the rearward face of the backing member II. The cravat 2| depending from the collar 22 is then inserted in the holder by passing its ends laterally through the opening is between the spaced terminal loops l1 and I8 and adjusted to a central position. The device will then hold the cravat in its proper position at the front of the shirt or other garment with which it is worn. The holder may be moved upwardly or downwardly on the shirt until the width of the clasp conforms to the width of the cravat. As the arms of the holder only loosely embrace the cravat a relative displacement may occur to allow free movement of the body without the cravat binding in the clasp.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the device is made from two lengths of wire, one of which has a central intermediate portion forming a backing member II with forwardly and inwardly extending arms The backing member Ii is provided with an offset portion 25 forming a depression in the rearward face thereof of a depth substantially'equal to the thickness of the material used. The spring-clip is made from another length of wire folded to form opposed legs 23 and 21 engaging each other at one end and connected by a loop 28 at the opposite end.

The leg 26 of the spring-clip is positioned in the oifset portion 25 of the backing member II and rigidly fastened thereto as byrsoldering, brazing, welding or other suitable means. In the lastdescribed form the arm II is considerably longer than the arm l3 and both arms terminate in ball-shaped elements 33 and 3| disposed in spaced relationship to provide the opening I! adjacent one end of the holder.

With this last-described construction the backing member ll may be readily slipped into holding engagement with the hem or plait 23 of the shirt because'of the oflset portion 23 of the backing member II which provides a substantially continuous surface between the rearward face of I the backing member and outer face of the leg 26 of the spring-clip over which the plait of the shirt is passed. The cravat 2| may then be inserted through the opening it between the spaced terminal members 33 and 3| of the embracing arms l5 and I4 by a lateral or edgewise movement of the cravat throughout substantially its entire width. With this form of construction the necessity for folding or creasing the cravat to insert it through a centrally positioned opening a is avoided. I The ball-shaped terminal members of the arms I5 and I6, beside presenting a pleasing and omamental appearance, also perform the function of providing a smooth surface to facilitate the insertion of the cravat through the opening I.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modified form of construction in which the holder is made from a single piece of wire 34 bent into a continuous loop. At the central intermediate portion of the loop the wire lengths 35 and 3 are brought together in parallel abutting relationship and held in place by a band 44 to form the backing member I l. The two sections 35 and 36 of the loop are folded forwardly and inwardly at both ends of the member II to form the arms l5 and IS. The opposite wire sections of the arms I 5 and I are spread apart at 31 and 38 to form an ornamental contour of substantially diamond-shape with the pointed ends 39 and 40 in spaced relationship to provide the opening I! therebetween. 0n the rearward face of the backing member ll attaching means are provided in the form of a clip comprising pivoted jaws 4| and 42 normally pressed into engagement at their toothed ends by a spring 43. The attaching clip is fixedly secured to the backing member H at 45 in any suitable manner such as by soldering, brazing or riveting it thereto or to the band 44.

, This form of cravat-holder is attached to the shirt front by opening the opposed jaws 4| and 42 against the action of the spring 43 and clipping the jaws in engagement with the hem or plait 20 of the shirt. The spaced wire sections of the loops at the ends of the arms is and I6 present a pleasing and ornamental appearance besides serving to hold the cravat over a comparatively large area.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10. illustrate still another modified form of construction of the device in which the arms l5 and iii are longitudinally adjustable with respect to the backing member II. In this form, as shown in Fig. 8, the backing member ll comprises a relatively thin, flat strip of sheet material having a slot 48 centrally positioned between its ends and terminating in an eye 49 to form a button-hole. The backing member ll may be attached to a button on the shirt or other garment by slipping the slotted portion over the threads that hold the button in place to position the threads in the eye 49.

At the outer ends of the backing member I I depending fianges 50 and 5| are provided which may be formed integral therewith as shown or attached thereto in any suitable manner. The flanges 50 and 5! are bent around to form bearings 52 and 53 of any suitable shape to conform with the shape of the arms l5 and I5. As most clearly shown in Fig. 10, the flanges 50 and 5| are folded to form square box-shaped bearings 52 and 53 with the ends soldered or otherwise secured to the front face of the backing member II to provide a rigid structure. Each of the arms' l5 and I5 is formed as one leg of a pair of U-shaped members preferably constructed from wire of square or rectangular cross-section. The rearward legs 54 and 55 of the U-shaped members are slidably mounted in the bearings 52 and 53 with aclose fit and when so mounted the arms I5 and I5 extend inwardly in substantially parallel, spaced relation to the front face of the backing member II. The arms terminate in spherical members 30 and 3| arranged in a spaced relationship to form the opening IS. The inner ends of the legs 54 and 55 are deformed as at 56 and 51 to prevent their complete withdrawal from the bearings 52 and 53, but otherwise the arms may be longitudinally adjusted to any desired position within the lengths of the legs 54 and 55 to conform to the width of the cravat.

With the last-described form of construction the cravat is inserted through the opening I 9 to its proper position between the backing member H and the embracing arms I5 and IS in the manner as previously explained. As an added advantage, the holder is adjustable to adapt it to fit ties or cravats of varying widths by sliding the parts 54 and 55 in the bearings 52 and 53 until the arms l5 and I6 are properly positioned to closely embrace the edges. In this manner wrinkling or folding of the ends of relatively wide cravats is avoided and the device may also be used with relatively narrow ties. The terminal ball-shaped ends 30 and 3| facilitate the insertion of the cravat into the holder by presenting a smooth finished surface over which the cravat is passed, besides their function of presenting an ornamental appearance.

Having now described several embodiments of the invention it will be apparent that a novel construction of cravat-holder has been provided for loosely embracing and holding a cravat while allowing a relative slippage to prevent binding when the posture of the body of the wearer is changed. It will also be observed that the device provides for most convenient insertion of the cravat into the holder through the opening between the terminals of the embracing arms without necessity for pushing or tucking its ends through a closed loop. It will further be observed that a novel cravat-holder is provided which is simple and compact in construction and economical to manufacture from either a single piece of wire material or as a plurality of assembled elements. It will still further be observed that the invention provides a holder which is readily adjusted to conform tothe width of cravats of different types. Several different embodiments of the inven tion having been herein illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other forms may be made incorporating the novel features above described and shown in the drawing. Therefore, without limiting myself to the constructions shown and described, I claim:

1. A cravat-holder comprising a bar member adapted to be placed on a garment, means for attaching the member in position on the garment, and rigid arms at the ends of the member extending forwardly and then inwardly a substantial portion of the length of the bar member to embrace and hold the cravat, the ends of said arms being spaced apart to provide an opening therebetween.

2. A cravat-holder comprising a bar member adapted to be placed on a garment, means for attaching the-member in position on the garment, and inwardly directed arms at the ends .of the member overlapping said member through a considerable portion of its length to embrace and hold a cravat, said arms being formed as continuations of the member and the aggregate length of the arms being less than that of the member to provide an opening between the ends of the arms.

3. A cravat-holder comprising a member adapted to be placed against a garment, means for attaching the member to the garment, and arms at the ends of the member extending forwardly and then inwardly in substantially parallel spaced relation to the member, said arms terminating short of the mid point of the member to provide an opening for the insertion of the cravat.

4. A cravat-holder comprising a relatively long and narrow backing member adapted to be placed against the front of a garment, and means for attaching the member on the garment, the outer end portions of the member being folded forwardly and inwardly to a position substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the backing member, said arms having a substantial length with respect to the backing member to adapt them to embrace and hold a cravat and with their ends spaced apart to provide an opening for the insertion of the cravat therethrough.

5. A cravat-holder comprising a relatively long and narrow backing member and a clip permanently fixed on the member for attaching it to a garment, the outer end portions of the member being folded forwardly and inwardly to form arms positioned in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member on the forward side thereof and having a combined length sufficient to hold the cravat, the ends of said arms terminating in spaced relation to provide an opening for the insertion of the cravat to adapt it to be embraced by the arms.

6. A cravat-holder comprising a loop constructed from a continuous length of wire arranged double to provide a backing member with the looped ends bent forwardly and then toward each other to form arms disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member to adapt them to embrace a cravat, and attaching means on the backing member for engagement with the garment to secure the holder in place thereon.

7. A cravatholder comprising a wire loop having two opposite longitudinally-extending sections disposed in parallel abutting relationship to form a backing member with said sections spaced apart at the ends of said member to form openings, the end portions being folded back in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member to form embracing arms with the terminals thereof spaced apart, and attaching means on the backing member for engagement with a garment, said backing member and spaced parallel arms being adapted to embrace a cravat inserted therebetween through the space separating the ends of the arms.

8. A cravat-holder comprising a narrow intermediate bar portion in the form of a. backing 5 with their terminals spaced apart, said arms extending throughout a substantial portion of the length of the backing member, and a clasp on the backing member for attaching the device to a garment, said backing member and arms being adapted to embrace and hold a. cravat inserted through the opening between the spaced terminals of the arms.

9. A cravat-holder comprising a strip of resilient material having an intermediate portion in the form of a backing member with a loop of the material folded to engage one side of the backing member and form a clip, the end portions of the strip being bent forwardly and toward each other in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member and with the ends spaced apart, said arms and backing member being adapted to embrace a cravat.

,10. A cravat-holder comprising a wire of resilient material having an intermediate portion in the form of a backing member with a loop of the wire folded into engagement with one side of the backing member to form a clip, the end portions of the wire being bent forwardly and inwardly toward each other in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member on the opposite side from the clip, said backing member, clip and arms lying in a common plane, and spaced-apart loops at the extremities of the arms extending at right-angles to the aforesaid plane.

11. A cravat-holder comprising a narrow intermediate portion in the form of a backing member and end portions disposed in substantially parallel and spaced relation to the backing member to form arms, said arms overlapping the backing member for a considerable portion of its length and having their extremities in spaced relationship to provide an opening therebetween located adjacent one end of the backing member, and a clip permanently fixed on the backing member for attaching it to a garment, said backing member and arms being adapted to embrace a cravat inserted through the opening between the spaced extremities of the arms.

12. A cravat-holder comprising a backing member having'end portions extending forwardly and inwardly toward each other in substantially parallel spaced relation to the backing member to form arms, said arms having their extremities spaced apart to provide an opening adjacent one end of the backing member, said backing member having an oifset portion forming a recess in its rearward side, and a spring fixed to the backing member in the recess to form a clip, said backing member and arms being adapted to embrace a cravat inserted sidewise through the opening between the extremities of the arms.

13. A cravat-holder comprising a backing member, means for attaching the backing member to a garment, and arms positioned forwardly of and in spaced relation to the backing memher, said arms having means for slldably mounting them on the backing member with their extremities spaced to form an opening therebetween for the insertion of the cravat.

14. A cravat-holder comprising a backing member, means for attaching the backing member to a garment, U-shaped arms each having one leg slldably mounted on the backing member with the opposite leg positioned in spaced relation thereto,said arms and backing member being adapted to embrace a cravat and adjustable to conform to the width of the cravat at any position along its length.

15. A cravat-holder comprising a backing member having bearings adjacent its ends, U- shaped arms each having one leg slldably mounted in a bearing on the backing member with the opposite leg positioned in spaced relation thereto and with the extremities of the arms spaced apart to provide an opening, and means for attaching the backing member to a garment, said arms being adapted to embrace a cravat inserted therebetween through the opening formed by the spaced extremities of the arms and adjustable into engagement with the side edges of the cravat.

16. A cravat-holder comprising a. backing member having a centrally positioned slot for engagement with a button and depending flanges adjacent the ends folded to form bearings, and U-shaped arms each having one leg slldably mounted in a bearing on the backing member and the opposite leg positioned in substantially parallel spaced relation thereto, the extremities of said arms terminating in enlargements spaced apart to provide an opening therebetween, said arms being adapted to embrace a cravat inserted through the opening and adjustable to conform to the width of the cravat.

17. A tie clasp, comprising a rear body member, means on the central portion of said body member for attaching the same to a shirt bosom and fingers formed integral with the ends of said body member and projecting toward each other, which fingers are spaced apart from and disposed parallel with said body member.

JUSTIN L. COBB. 

